Tuesday, October 03, 2017

Five ISPs to reduce Internet Cost in PNG

Five internet service providers (ISP) in Papua New Guinea are anticipating reduction on operational costs for consumers.
They include Digitec, Datec, Digicel, Bmobile and Speedcast.
National Information and Communication Technology Authority (NICTA) chief executive officer Charles Punaha said they were the first providers that connected with the PNG Internet Exchange Point (PNGIXP) facility since its launch in May this year.
Mr Punaha stated this in his opening address for a three day PNGIXP awareness session and network security workshop, facilitated by two experts from Asia Pacific Network Information Centre (APNIC) and the Internet Society (ISOC).
He said with the facility ICT service providers including financial services will see reduction on operational costs, internet service, improved quality, more demand for access and increase in growth of local content.
While the five service providers enjoy their experience connecting to the IXP they highlighted a shortcoming for them being that Telikom as the biggest a state own entity and ICT provider has not connected to the IXP.
Hence, Mr Punaha has encouraged other service providers connect in order to realise the full potential of the facility and enable content service providers such as Facebook and Goggle to connect to the IXP as well.He said the PNGIXP awareness session seeks to address the importance and value to stakeholders of the Neutral IXP facility.“The PNGIXP is a vital element of internet infrastructure that enables networks to seamlessly exchange local traffic with each other. Best practices has shown allowing diverse players at an IXP including banks plays a crucial role in the development of IXP’s as well as contributes to the growth of local content.“The government is steadfast in its policy decisions to provide a regulatory framework in which the cost of ICT services becomes more affordable and the services become widely available.“It is my belief that this critical infrastructure will enhance the development of internet in the country and facilitate reductions in the retail cost of the internet to consumers,” he said. Post Courier